The two biggest expenses most Americans have traditionally faced is a mortgage or rent and a vehicle. It looks like the cost of healthcare can added to the list of largest debts for many.

Results of a statewide poll released last week finds 57% of Pennsylvanians say they struggle with affording medial care and half are delaying or avoiding medical care due to its cost.

Other results of the poll include:
Nearly 3 in 5 struggled with at least one healthcare-related financial burden in the last year;
More than 4 in 5 worry about affording health care in the future;
More than half delayed or went without health care due to cost in the last year;
1 in 3 Pennsylvanians are either incurring debt, taking out loans, or sacrificing basic necessities in order to pay their medical bills, and 1 in 4 have medical bills that are overdue;
Rural Pennsylvanians reported higher rates of going without care and rationing medications due to cost; still, nearly half of those living in urban areas went without care due to cost; and
Across party lines, Pennsylvanians show strong support for government action, endorsing a wide range of policies aimed at lowering healthcare costs.

Joining us on The Spark Monday were Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network and Laura Smith of Allegheny County, who survived cancer and the removal of a tumor but faced medical bills she couldn't afford afterwards.

The two biggest expenses most Americans have traditionally faced is a mortgage or rent and a vehicle. It looks like the cost of healthcare can added to the list of largest debts for many.
Results of a statewide poll released last week finds 57% of Pennsylvanians say they struggle with affording medial care and half are delaying or avoiding medical care due to its cost.
Other results of the poll include:
<ul>
<li>Nearly 3 in 5 struggled with at least one healthcare-related financial burden in the last year;</li>
<li>More than 4 in 5 worry about affording health care in the future;</li>
<li>More than half delayed or went without health care due to cost in the last year;</li>
<li>1 in 3 Pennsylvanians are either incurring debt, taking out loans, or sacrificing basic necessities in order to pay their medical bills, and 1 in 4 have medical bills that are overdue;</li>
<li>Rural Pennsylvanians reported higher rates of going without care and rationing medications due to cost; still, nearly half of those living in urban areas went without care due to cost; and</li>
<li>Across party lines, Pennsylvanians show strong support for government action, endorsing a wide range of policies aimed at lowering healthcare costs.</li>
</ul>
Joining us on The Spark Monday were Antoinette Kraus, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network and Laura Smith of Allegheny County, who survived cancer and the removal of a tumor but faced medical bills she couldn't afford afterwards.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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